Family breakdown, separation and divorce are common in Australia today, with an estimated 50,000 or more families per year experiencing the loss and devastation these life changing circumstances can bring. Not only is there a loss to familial relationships, but very often great financial hardship that can last for years after the event and that can impact on the care and opportunity that is available to children.

No-one can really pinpoint where it all began; the slide by all tiers of government to legislating our way to a safer, cleaner, friendly, less exploitive world. Well, at least that is the rationalisation.

Just as Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle did last week, within 30 days all people in love the world over will be able to flock to New York and be married after legislators voted to allow same - sex marriage.

On 17 May 1970, homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases published by the World Health Organisation (WHO). On 17 May 2011, the 6th International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) was held. Yet,consensual acts between same-sex adults are criminalised in 80 member states of the United Nations and homosexuality results in the death penalty in six of these countries

Last Saturday, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott indicated at the federal Liberal Party council that he was embracing multiculturalism. Meanwhile, last week the Dutch government joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in rejecting multiculturalism.

When Jesus is pitched against Mohamad, the winner may be APN Outdoor billboards.

The bold billboards spreading across Sydney by MyPeace inviting us to ask questions about Islam may be a novelty in Australia. But the wording and web-site is a carbon copy of the GainPeace missionary outreach project that was launched in Chicago in 2008. Our Australian version may be a timely cross (pun intended) between MySpace and GainPeace.

The average cost of placing vulnerable children in foster care run by charities and children's welfare groups is four times more than out-of-home care run by DOCS, an analysis of the government's figures reveals.

The definition of child abuse will be expanded to include witnessing domestic violence, under a bill to be introduced to the Senate, strengthening the Family Court's ability to protect children from violent homes.

It’s all too easy in Australia – set up a religion, get tax-free status, a bunch of followers willing to donate, and you’re set. Maybe predict the end of the world to get things moving along with a sense of urgency.